Vanilla Vanilla

We’re talking vanilla today. I know. I know. Something must be wrong when I don’t have chocolate all over my treats. But, no… I’m fine. I’m just loving on chocolate’s often overlooked sister with these beauties… Vanilla Bean Doughnuts from the book Pure Vanilla and a very vanilla giveaway.

Vanilla, but definitely not plain.

You know, I don’t work with dough and yeast nearly enough. But when I do I remember how much I love to watch it rise. It fascinates me.

If doughnuts can be adorable – or adoughable (ha) – then this one definitely is.

I mean, look how cute and puffy it is.

But not as cute as when it’s warm and bathed in vanilla bean icing.

I did have to fight my urge to decorate these with bright, colorful sprinkles though. What a pretty pretty backdrop that white would be.

But I didn’t. I refrained. I mean it would be a shame to cover up all those beautiful tiny vanilla bean specks in the icing don’t you think?

In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together yeast, warm water and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let stand until the mixture is foamy, about five minutes. Whisk in the remaining two tablespoons sugar, milk, vanilla extract, vanilla bean seeds, egg yolks, and butter. Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment and begin mixing on low speed.

Add flour and salt and mix for three minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the paddle often to keep the dough moving.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead by hand several times, dusting with flour as needed. Place dough in a large oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll to about 1/2 inch thick.

Cut out the doughnuts with a three inch doughnut cutter, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let rise for 30-45 minutes or until doughnuts have doubled in size.

Pour 2 1/2 inches of vegetable oil int a 4 or 5 quart pot and heat to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Fry doughnuts in batches of up to four at a time, until the are golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side, turning only once. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

For the glaze, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, salt and vanilla bean seeds until smooth. Spoon glaze over warm doughnuts and serve.

But that’s not all. It’s a double vanilla kind of day because the winner will also receive a signed copy of the book Pure Vanilla from my friend Shauna Sever. Yay and yum! And full of fun recipes like the ones below.

I made baked apples with caramel sauce! Applies halves were stuffed with toasted nuts, spices, brown sugar, and bound with honey. Apples brushed with liqueur before being stuffed. Homemade salted caramel sauce on top :).

The last dessert I made was with my youngest son for Thanksgiving. We made home made pudding for his trifle. He was so impressed that you could make pudding. I guess he thought it only came in a pudding pack.

I’ll tell you a secret, vanilla is totally my favorite. I LOVE chocolate, but I love it most in solid bar form, or in brownies. But in cake and icing and ice cream I’m totally vanilla.
My family, not so much ;) The last treat I made was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing for my brother’s birthday! I snuck a cream cheese filling into it, though ;)

I made cherry meringues last week! Made with real cherry juice that I strained and juiced out of teeny little cherries. They left the cutest hinge of pastel purple in my meringues and they were absolutely delicious.